Top Latin Music Artists You Need to Know
From sultry ballads to upbeat bangers, these are the top Latin music artists you need to know.
Shakira
Early life and musical beginnings
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her father, William Mebarak Chadid, is a Colombian of Lebanese descent, and her mother, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, is a native of Spain’s Catalonia region. As a child growing up amid the troubles of Colombia’s volatile La Guajira region—where much of the land has been eroded by mining—Shakira helped her father sell furniture and set up light bulbs in their home. It was there that Shakira began writing and composing music at eight years old.
In 1991 Shakira released her first album, Magia (Magic), which quickly sold over three thousand copies in her native Colombia. The record included the singles “Tus Gafas Oscuras” (“Your Dark Glasses”) and “Eres” (“You Are”). By this time Shakira had already begun to explore other musical genres beyond Latin pop. After seeing British rock group The Cure perform in Bogotá in 1992, for example, she later admitted that she thought to herself: “‘This is what I want to do with my life.'”
Breakthrough with “Loca”
After years of rejections, Shakira finally found success with her fourth studio album, “¿Dónde Están los Ladrones?” The record’s first single, “Dónde Están los Ladrones?”, flopped upon its release in September 1998. However, the album’s second single, “Ciega, Sordomuda”, revitalized Shakira’s career. The track became a smash hit in her native Colombia, as well as throughout Latin America. It would eventually be certified six-times platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In 2001, Shakira released her first English-language album, “Laundry Service”. The record was an instant success both commercially and critically. It topped charts in more than 55 countries and sold over 13 million copies worldwide. The lead single, “Whenever, Wherever”, became one of the best-selling singles of all time and helped propel Shakira to superstardom.
Continued success
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she began performing in school, demonstrating Latin American, Arabic, and rock and roll influences and belly dancing abilities. Shakira released her first studio albums Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), before she rose to prominence with her major label debut Pies Descalzos (1996). It spawned the hit singles “Estoy Aquí” and “Antes de Las Seis”, with the latter giving Shakira her first number-one single on Billboard ‘ s US Latin Airplay chart. Her fourth studio album Dónde Están los Ladrones?
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is a Puerto Rican singer, actor, and author who is one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time. He has released numerous albums and singles throughout his career, and his hits include “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” “She Bangs,” and “La Mordidita.” Ricky Martin has won multiple Grammy Awards and Latin Grammy Awards, and he is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Early life and musical beginnings
Enrique Martín Morales (born December 24, 1971), better known by his stage name Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican singer, actor and author. He is widely regarded as the King of Latin Pop. Martin began his career at age 12 with the all-boy pop group Menudo. After five years with the group, he released several Spanish-language solo albums throughout the 1990s. He also acted on stage and on TV in Mexico, becoming a modest star in the country. In 1994 he starred on the American TV soap opera General Hospital, playing a Puerto Rican singer.
In 1999, after releasing several albums in Spanish, Ricky Martin came out as a gay man in a cover story for The Advocate magazine. This increased his popularity exponentially in the Latino community worldwide, and led to his appearance on Madonna’s 2002 Drowned World Tour. Ricky Martin’s first English-language album (also his first album overall) was released in 1999 and was a massive success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. The album’s first single “Livin’ la Vida Loca” topped charts globally; other popular singles from the album include “She Bangs” and “Nobody Wants to Be Lonely”. In 2001 Ricky Martin performed the song “The Cup of Life” at the 41st Grammy Awards show; this performance is credited with helping to increase Latin music’s popularity in mainstream American culture. Ricky Martin has since released several more successful albums in Spanish and English; he has also appeared in numerous films and TV shows
Breakthrough with “Living la Vida Loca”
Ricky Martin’s career began long before he released his debut album in 1991. As a child actor, he appeared on various telenovelas in Puerto Rico before moving to New York City to star on the soap opera General Hospital. But it wasn’t until 1999 that Ricky truly broke into the mainstream with his smash hit “Living la Vida Loca.”
The song quickly rose to the top of the charts around the world, cementing Ricky’s status as a global superstar. He followed up with a string of hits over the next few years, including “She Bangs,” “Nobody Wants to Be Lonely” and “Maria.” Ricky has also been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and has won several Latin Grammy Awards. In 2016, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Continued success
Since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1991, Ricky Martin has become one of the most successful Latin music artists of all time. He has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and has won numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards.
In 1999, Ricky Martin came out as a gay man in an interview with Mexican magazine TV y Novelas. He has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights and is a proud father of twins born via surrogacy.
Ricky Martin’s most recent album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar (To Those Who Want to Listen), was released in 2015 and topped the Latin Billboard chart. He is currently working on his next studio album, which is set to be released in 2018.
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Havana, Cuba, Estefan immigrated to the United States with her family in 1959. She is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artist who has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Early life and musical beginnings
Gloria Estefan was born Gloria Fajardo on September 1, 1957, in Havana, Cuba. Her mother, Gloria García Pérez, was a housewife, and her father, José Fajardo García, was a Cuban army lieutenant and political prisoner who would later become a general in the Cuban air force. Estefan’s family left Cuba in 1961, when she was 4 years old, after the communist takeover led by Fidel Castro. They settled in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood and overcame many financial struggles.
In 1974, Estefan met Emilio Estefan while he was performing with his band the Miami Latin Boys at a party. The two married two years later. Emilio persuaded his wife to start singing with the band. She made her professional debut as lead vocalist on the 1976 single “No Te Olvides de Mí.” The song became popular on Spanish-language radio station WQBA-AM 1140 in Miami.
Breakthrough with “Conga”
In 1985, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine released their breakthrough single “Conga.” The song became an international hit, topping the charts in the United States, France, Germany, and several other countries. It would eventually be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The success of “Conga” helped propel the Miami Sound Machine’s album Primitive Love to commercial and critical acclaim.
Continued success
In the 1990s, Estefan followed up her runaway success with a series of well-received albums, including 1991’sinto the Light, 1994’s Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, and 1996’s Destiny. She also dabbled in acting, appearing in two episodes of Miami Vice in 1987. In 1997, she starred in music videos for the songs “No Llores” and “Turn the Beat Around.” The following year she released her autobiography,…
Selena
Selena was a Mexican-American singer who was known as the Queen of Tejano music. Her career was cut short when she was murdered by her fan club president at the age of 23. However, her legacy continues on through her music. She has been credited with helping to bring Latin music to the mainstream. Let’s take a look at some of her best songs.
Early life and musical beginnings
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. She was the youngest child of Mexican-American parents Marcella and Abraham Quintanilla Jr., who had three other children: A.B., Suzette and Abraham III. Selena’s father, who was a former musician, managed her career from the beginning.
Selena began performing onstage with her family at a young age. In 1980, they formed the Selena y Los Dinos band and began playing at various weddings, quinceañeras and other celebrations in their South Texas community. By the mid-’80s, the group had begun touring throughout Texas and Mexico. They released their self-titled debut album in 1987.
Breakthrough with “Amor Prohibido”
In 1994, Selena released her album “Amor Prohibido,” which featured the title track. The album quickly gained popularity throughout the Latin community and helped Selena become one of the most successful Latin artists of all time. “Amor Prohibido” became one of Selena’s most popular songs and helped her crossover into the mainstream music scene.
Continued success
Selena’s career continued its upward trajectory after the release of her second album, Ven Conmigo (1990). It featured the expansion of her musical repertoire into traditional cumbia and mariachi styles. The album helped Selena become the first female Mexican-American artist to achieve a gold record in the United States. She followed its success with a sold-out concert tour across Mexico and the United States, becoming one of the most popular Latina performers of the early 1990s.
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish singer, songwriter, actor and record producer. He is widely regarded as the King of Latin Pop. He has sold over 170 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling Spanish artists ever. Enrique has released ten studio albums, seven of which have topped the Billboard Latin Albums chart in the United States.
Early life and musical beginnings
Enrique Iglesias was born in Madrid, Spain, on May 8, 1975. The son of famed singer Julio Iglesias and Spanish socialite and magazine journalist Isabel Preysler, Iglesias began his musical career while still a teenager. In 1995, he released his first album, Enrique Iglesias, which contained the hit singles “Si Tú Te Vas” and “Experiencia Religiosa.”
Iglesias’ sophomore effort, Vivir (1997), featured the ballad “Por Amarte,” which helped him cross over into the mainstream pop market in the United States. His 1999 English-language debut album, Enrique, yielded the No. 1 single “Bailamos” and set the stage for his successful crossover into the American market.
Iglesias has since released eight studio albums in Spanish and five in English, selling more than 100 million records worldwide. His hits include “Be with You,” “Escape,” “Hero,” “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)” and “I Like It.” He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including five Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards and 28 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Breakthrough with “Bailamos”
In late 1999, “Bailamos” hit number one on the pop charts, establish Enrique Iglesias as a crossover star. The accompanying album, Enrique, followed suit, hitting number one on Billboard’s Latin Albums chart and going platinum in both the U.S. and Latin America. The year 2000 also saw Iglesias receive a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.
Continued success
Enrique Iglesias has been one of the top Latin music artists for over two decades. He has released ten studio albums, two live albums, and sixty-six singles. His album sales total over seventy-five million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling Spanish artists of all time.
Iglesias began his career in the early 1990s with a series of Spanish-language albums. His self-titled debut album was released in 1995 and went platinum in several countries. He followed it up with a string of successful albums, including Cosas del Amor (1998), Enrique (1999), and Quizás (2002). In 2001, he released his first English-language album, Escape. The album was a huge success, selling over twelve million copies worldwide. It included the hit singles “Escape” and “Hero”.
Iglesias has continued to release both Spanish and English-language albums throughout his career. His most recent album, Sex and Love, was released in 2014 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It included the hit singles “Bailando” and “El Perdón”. Iglesias has won numerous awards throughout his career, including five Grammy Awards and twenty-three Latin Grammy Awards. He was also named the King of Latin Pop by Rolling Stone magazine in 2017.
